dvr

Dish Network's Auto Hop feature has been the target of more than a few legal proceedings, with networks crying foul over its commercial-deleting abilities. Now, admist the controversy already surrounding the device, is a claim by CBS that Dish Network intentionally concealed Auto Hop during negotiations, something it is none to happy about. According to the network, not providing the information completely altered the resulting deal.

Dish Network has announced the arrival of its second generation HD Whole-home DVR, the Hopper with Sling. With the DVR, subscribers have access to some new features, as well as improvements on existing features, making for an all-around better experience. In addition, the Hopper with Sling will be accompanied by the Transfers app, allowing subscribers to watch recorded content offline via an iPad.

There are a number of set-top boxes on the market today that allow you to stream content from different services such as Netflix or YouTube. One of those devices is the Boxee TV. Boxee Inc has scored a major win with the announcement that Walmart will be selling its latest device, the Boxee TV, in its 3000 US locations starting tomorrow.

Synology's network-attached storage devices have been turned into quad-tuner DVRs with streaming to computers, tablets, and smartphones thanks to a new DVBLink add-on. The app - when paired with up to four USB TV tuners - can be used to record TV and stream live broadcasts via DLNA, to XBMC devices, or to iOS, Android, and Windows Phone handsets with full remote control.

Touting it as the "most advanced and intuitive HD DVR" available, DIRECTV has announced their latest HD DVR: the DIRECTV Genie. This new DVR brings to the table a whole roster of features you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, including the ability to record up to 5 high-definition videos at once. According to DIRECTV, this flagship DVR is the by-product of integrating as many of the most requested features as possible.

Sky has launched a new 2TB Sky+ HD PVR, as well as an updated Sky+ iPad app that turns the Apple tablet into a second screen for social networking, remote control, and more. Powered by zeebox, the new Sky app will offer Twitter and show information for whatever program is currently playing, such as actor biographies, soundtrack listings, and more.

Today, as many of you already know, the Wii U finally received pricing information and a release date. Along with those rather important details, we were also treated to a list of specs for the console. Everything seems to be solid, but there's one thing leaving consumers scratching their heads: storage, or lack thereof.

Just yesterday a report from The Wall Street Journal suggested that Apple was in talks with cable companies to provide a set-top box capable of watching live TV while mixing in custom apps. The publication has now further detailed the plans in a second report, suggesting that the company is planning to simplify the methods of watching content. Apple ultimate goal is to “erase the distinction between live and on-demand content.”

Sony has confirmed that its nasne networked PVR has been delayed, blaming unexpected damage to internal components and a shortfall in quality inspections at the factory. nasne, which can stream live TV and recorded content from its integrated tuners and 500GB hard-drive to the PS3 and other hardware, was expected to go on sale this Thursday in Japan, but Sony now says there will be a postponement of unspecified length.

Sony has announced an incoming media-centric update to the PlayStation 3, bringing the console up to speed for the new nasne networked recorder and NAS. Revealed back in April, nasne will hit Japanese shelves on July 19 along with system software update v1.5, allowing the PS3 to stream live and recorded content from the STB to their console, and introducing smartphone browser support for remote control. However, Sony will also begin collaboration with other companies on open DLNA support.

I knew the second Dish Network unveiled in its commercial deleting Auto Hop feature that networks would be suing. This is the feature that would go in after recording prime-time TV shows shows on a Dish Network DVR and delete commercials so users didn't have to fast-forward. Network executives are already calling the feature an attack on the ecosystem foreshadowing the inevitable lawsuits.